Finding builders

davelees215

Any advice on how to find reliable builders. We're desperate to get a move on for a 9m squared ground floor extension but can't find anyone interested.
We started planning nearly a year ago in the hope it would be done by now but it took 3 months to find someone to start drawing plans who then took 5 months to do them. Three months ago we asked anyone we even vaguely knew about builders and found 5 builders who we decided to contact. 4 have pretty much ignored us and one finally last week gave us an estimate of £20k +VAT. This sounds a bit steep and it even included £2k for electrics (we only need 2 sockets and a light).
Obviously we're wanting to find someone else. I could just pluck people from the internet but they wouldn't have any recommendations. Does anyone have an idea of a way to find decent builders who might actually be interested. (We live near Leeds if anyone knows anyone up this way).

EssexExile

We saw work similar to what we wanted being done up the road. We knocked & asked if they were happy with their builder. They asked us in, showed us what he had done & told us he was great. We employed him & he was great.

Doozergirl

9 square metres will be expensive because there is no economy of scale. The less square it is, the more work also. What sort of price are you expecting?

Have you given them expectations of timescales as well? Some of these things are a matter of negotiation and patience.

To entice those builders, I would suggest asking them when they are free to do a job - if the timescales don't suit them, they just won't bother. Also push on your positive relationship with their previous customers and make sure that you are amenable and don't make criticisms of other people in the building trade. If builders are so busy that they don't need the work, you have to make yourself an attractive proposition. Flexibility would be key, as is a positive attitude and actually not pushing too much on how many other builders you've got going in.

Of course you need to do all of your due diligence, but getting them to speak to you in the first instance is useful.

VfM4meplse

Doozergirl wrote: »

Of course you need to do all of your due diligence, but getting them to speak to you in the first instance is useful.

Is there a definitive guide for checks that should be undertaken? Particularly anything that is going to flush out rogue contractor / one with a history of customer disputes? If anyone would know, it’s you!

Robby1988

Don't forget that coming round to provide you with a quote is an unpaid investment of their time & diesel in their van so you must show them you are serious I think and not just another time wasting dreamer with no idea about what things actually cost and how long they might have to wait for quality.

Be realistic with your budget (do research) and state what it is & suggest realistic timescales that show your prepared to be patient.

Some people might not agree with them but if you are really stuck try out MyBuilder. I've found a couple of fantastic tradesmen on there I have had back several times.

VfM4meplse

Robby1988 wrote: »

Some people might not agree with them but if you are really stuck try out MyBuilder. I've found a couple of fantastic tradesmen on there I have had back several times.

Conversely, I know someone that has been stung badly by a trader that had rave reviews on Checkatrade. Not down to the website itself - which has acted professionally AFAIK - I'm just pointing out that no method is infallible.

martinthebandit

Think it's time I posted this again, although it applies to others apart from builders.

You can have any two from quick, good and cheap.

If its quick and good it won't be cheap.
If it's quick and cheap it won't be good.
If it's good and cheap it won't be quick.

jk0

martinthebandit wrote: »

Think it's time I posted this again, although it applies to others apart from builders.

You can have any two from quick, good and cheap.

If its quick and good it won't be cheap.
If it's quick and cheap it won't be good.
If it's good and cheap it won't be quick.

I'd be happy to have one of the three.

VfM4meplse

Anything slightly more directional?